Java

Save a Private Key as a PKCS #8 PEM File

Demonstrates the Chilkat PrivateKey.SavePkcs8PemFile method, which saves the key as unencrypted PKCS #8 PEM (the PRIVATE KEY label) to a file. The only argument is the destination path.

Note: The file paths are relative to the application's current working directory. Absolute paths may also be used. Supply the paths appropriate to your own environment.

Background: This writes the widely-compatible unencrypted .pem that most modern tooling reads — the text (Base64) form of PKCS #8. It is convenient and portable, but unprotected, so keep the file access-controlled or prefer the encrypted variant for anything that leaves a trusted location.

Chilkat Java Downloads

Download Chilkat for Java

Java

import com.chilkatsoft.*;

public class ChilkatExample {

  static {
    try {
        System.loadLibrary("chilkat");
    } catch (UnsatisfiedLinkError e) {
      System.err.println("Native code library failed to load.\n" + e);
      System.exit(1);
    }
  }

  public static void main(String argv[])
  {
    boolean success = false;

    //  Load a private key to export.
    CkPrivateKey privKey = new CkPrivateKey();
    success = privKey.LoadPemFile("qa_data/private.pem");
    if (success == false) {
        System.out.println(privKey.lastErrorText());
        return;
        }

    //  Save as unencrypted PKCS #8 PEM (the "PRIVATE KEY" label).
    success = privKey.SavePkcs8PemFile("qa_output/private_pkcs8.pem");
    if (success == false) {
        System.out.println(privKey.lastErrorText());
        return;
        }

    System.out.println("Saved.");
  }
}